Independent forecasters promise highs of 17C in the north and 14C elsewhere this week, but meteorologists have not ruled out intermittent spells of rain.

Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis said: "We haven't seen much of it over the last few months, but high pressure looks set to dominate our weather for the next seven to 10 days, so expect plenty of dry and settled weather.

"Although there will be sunny spells for many, we can't promise wall-to-wall sunshine and it won't be mild everywhere either, with cooler conditions towards the southeast and milder conditions towards the northwest.